Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-25

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

People have different views about whether doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they received their training or whether they should be free to work in another country if they wish. While there are valid arguments in favour of both perspectives, I believe that if these professionals can find better opportunities in developed countries, they should be free to work there, mainly because this can help them improve their circumstances.

On the one hand, supporters of the view that doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they received their training argue that the country has invested significant resources in their education. This is mainly because the government expects these professionals to work in their own country and provide services to local people. For example, government-funded medical and engineering universities are operated using public funds. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect these professionals to contribute to their country after completing their training. Hence, there is some justification for preferring this approach.

On the other hand, those who believe that doctors and engineers should be free to work in another country if they wish argue that developed countries provide higher salaries and better career opportunities. This is largely because these professionals are in high demand in developed countries. Additionally, doctors and engineers are essential to the development of any country. Therefore, they should have the freedom to choose where they want to work and build their careers.

Personally, I am more convinced that if these professionals can find better opportunities in developed countries, they should be free to work there. One reason for this is that working abroad can help them improve their quality of life and fulfil their ambitions. For instance, if doctors can earn higher salaries in developed countries, they should be free to move there and benefit from these opportunities.

In conclusion, both views have their own merits. However, I believe that doctors and engineers should be free to work abroad if they can find better opportunities, as this can help them improve their quality of life and achieve their career ambitions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both sides of the issue and providing a clear personal opinion. The position is consistent throughout the essay. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive. For instance, the argument regarding 'better opportunities' and 'higher salaries' is mentioned in both the second body paragraph and the personal opinion paragraph, which limits the depth of the analysis. To reach a higher band, you should aim to introduce distinct, nuanced points—such as the concept of 'brain drain' versus 'individual liberty'—rather than restating the same economic motivations. Overall, the task is fulfilled, but the ideas could be more extensively supported with varied examples.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. However, the flow is occasionally mechanical, and some transitions feel repetitive. The progression of ideas is clear, but the essay would benefit from a wider variety of linking words and more sophisticated referencing to improve the overall cohesion and make the connections between sentences feel more natural and less formulaic.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task and allows for clear communication of ideas. You use some relevant topic-specific terms like 'public funds', 'career opportunities', and 'quality of life'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler, high-frequency words. To improve, you should incorporate more precise, academic collocations and less common lexical items. For example, instead of repeating 'better opportunities', you could use terms like 'professional advancement' or 'lucrative prospects'. The current range is sufficient for a 6.0, but lacks the flexibility and precision required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar does not impede communication. You successfully use conditional structures ('if these professionals can find...') and relative clauses. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat narrow, and there is a lack of more advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or inversion, which would demonstrate greater control. While the accuracy is high, the limited variety in sentence patterns keeps the score at a 7.0. Increasing the complexity and variety of your sentence structures will help elevate this score.

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